Natural habitat and Biodiversity

Fiji has always been undergoing a phase of transitional damage upon its natural to cultural wonders. This first of the series of upcoming articles will thus focus on some very important issues that Fiji is currently dealing with and how the nation is fighting back. Fiji has always had a fame for beautiful natural surroundings and surreal biodiversity, many of which is very much endemic to only this region of the universe.

The first theme of interest in this blog would be on Natural habitats and Biodiversity. The uniqueness of Fiji’s wildlife is sometimes what gets these nation’s gems into grave danger. Fiji has lost many of its natural wonders mainly because of economic pressures that enable extraction of resources from certain sea and land mass. The over exploitation of land for agricultural purposes has also been a major reason of natural habitat loss which later triggers in the vanishing of numerous wildlife species. Improper handling of the tourism industry also plays a dangerous role in the disappearance of many endemic heritages and biodiversity in the nation. Damaging of the coastal environment such as coral reefs, beaches and estuaries through massive tourism exposure really threatens the future of numerous wildlife and habitats of the same. However just like an enduring warrior, Fiji too rebukes of its losses.

the Fijian government thus have together with the UNESCO World Heritage has a total of 9 protected areas all over the Fijian nation which is of national, cultural and natural heritage. Majority of these falls under the conservation of natural habitat and biodiversity respectively. The nation is also taking other preserve worthy actions towards the conservation phenomena. The Fijian government has started charging a levy of twenty cents per any plastic bag bought from the supermarkets. There has been a control on fishing in the breeding season of some endemic species and catching of turtles is strictly illegal and if found guilty of these will incur huge fines and harsh consequences.

Numerous campaigns are organized by NGO’s together with the Fijian government that now educate individuals on the importance of roles played by our natural habitats and the many biodiversity that calls it home. This has had an importantly positive effect on the natural system as more and more people are now finally getting to know nature’s worth and are working towards conserving it. That’s all for the first blog but be sure to get back as we’ll next be witnessing an important take on Fiji and the issue of “CLIMATE CHANGE”!